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The façade patterns used in the paper-based survey on architects' intuition, based on façades of existing buildings. The patterns have the same perforation ratio and were shown in a random order.
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Daylight has an undeniable value in various aspects of architectural design, ranging from energy efficiency and user comfort to our experience of space. Even though there is substantial evidence of the positive effects of daylight access on occupants, we have limited knowledge on how the façade geometry and the spatial composition of the resulting...
Citations
... Past research shows that visually pleasing luminous environments create positive effects that improve human mood, work engagement, social cooperation, performance, etc. [10]. Multiple research studies show that people may have different impressions of light attributes like brightness, uniformity, patterns, color temperature, etc. [11][12][13]. People also relate spatial lighting conditions to different perceptions of "calming", "spaciousness", "interesting", etc. [14]. ...
... In a Virtual Reality (VR)-based study on 100 participants, Sawyer et al. demonstrated that in rooms with identical brightness levels elicited different impressions of light and spatial brightness due to distinct façade patterns [21]. Similarly, Chamilothori et al., in multiple papers, have demonstrated the relationship between shadow patterns, daylight exposure, and their influence on human physiological responses, such as heart rate [12,22,23]. Their findings showed that participants rated façades with irregular patterns as more interesting, and the recorded mean heart rate was shown to be slower when exposed to irregular patterns compared to the other patterns studied. ...
People spend more than 90% of their time indoors, and, as such, improving indoor lighting quality can enhance their quality of life by positively influencing both physiological and psychological aspects. Numerous studies suggest that perceptions of a space vary depending on a number of lighting attributes present. Significant effort has been made across various fields to identify the spatial lighting conditions and attributes that impact human perception, although we lack studies that explore the impact of these conditions in tandem. This paper investigates how interior lighting conditions influence human impressions of room ambiance. The study examines 16 different interior scenes, considering factors such as sky condition (sunny vs. overcast), shading blinds position (open vs. closed), presence or absence of electric light (on vs. off), and Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) (2700 K, 4000 K, and 6500 K). The evaluation is conducted within an office environment at Carnegie Mellon University, using a combination of objective lighting metrics and subjective assessments. In total, 26 participants, consisting of 11 females, 14 males, and one undisclosed, aged between 18 and 50, evaluated the office ambiance under various lighting conditions using semantic differential scales. The analysis showed that the variation of blinds and CCT levels significantly influenced the participants’ impression of light. The study also identified statistically significant interactions between “blinds and CCT” and “blinds and sky” conditions, highlighting the combined influence of these variables on shaping indoor light impressions. This research offers valuable in-sights into the complex interplay of different lighting factors in shaping human perceptions, and underscores the importance of optimizing indoor lighting conditions for creating healthy and sustainable indoor environments.
... Ko et al. (2023) [24] investigated how geometric variables influence occupants' perception of window views and their overall satisfaction with the visual environment. Chamilothori (2018) [26] presented the architect's intuition on how façade geometry can impact occupant perception and also evaluated this intuition with different façade geometries. Different façade patterns and designs impact human perception and physiological responses in architectural spaces. ...
... Ko et al. (2023) [24] investigated how geometric variables influence occupants' perception of window views and their overall satisfaction with the visual environment. Chamilothori (2018) [26] presented the architect's intuition on how façade geometry can impact occupant perception and also evaluated this intuition with different façade geometries. Different façade patterns and designs impact human perception and physiological responses in architectural spaces. ...
One of the most critical challenges for architects in façade design is providing an effective view from the indoors to the outdoors of a building for users, although the main role of the parametric façade is covering openings to control daylight and temperature. This study uses a genetic algorithm to optimize and evaluate the number and place of nodes and the position of supports required for a parametric façade based on the geometric patterns. Using the dataset with genetic algorithms is effective in reducing or replacing the nodes and supports of the façade. It also creates broader and irregular patterns just around the windows, which decreases the visual disturbance experienced by occupants. Accordingly, optimal building facade operation in terms of both building aesthetics and performance is important. The method used in this study, validated through three geometric grid patterns based on node positions, can be used to analyze dataset-incorporated patterns for potential irregular façade extensions. The nodes are considered by analyzing the cross-section optimization using the Galapagos program, and then data are obtained with Karamba based on reaction force, node force, and the deformation energy. The results show that among the three grid patterns, i.e., triangular, square, and hexagonal, the hexagonal grid is most efficient, exhibiting up to 60% lower reaction force, 40% lower node force, and 30% less deformation energy than the square grid pattern. The proposed GA also shows its effectiveness in enhancing the performance of parametric façades with patterns, thereby improving the occupants’ visual experience.
... In addition to the baseline, six variations of building facades developed in previous studies [29,30] were used. The façade variations are based on existing buildings. ...
This concept paper illustrates a new simulation method to assess how building facades distribute light into interior spaces and how data from simulation studies can inform design for better facade performance. Facade photometry, a term developed by the authors, uses annual simulations and localized weather data to create temporally based illuminance and luminance distributions. This photometric chart is a unique signature of a particular facade design measured at a specific point in a specific climate. By linking data from the daylight simulation to the facade, the areas of the facade that need to be adjusted for improved performance are highlighted. Facade photometry is intended to allow designers to easily compare the performance of complex building geometry and daylight control systems, thus becoming an efficient tool to further aid designers in creating highly energy-efficient, high-performance, and comfortable building facades.
... Six façade designs from contemporary architecture, shown in Figure 1, were selected based on previous studies investigating the expected perceptual effects of façade configurations according to architects (Chamilothori et al., 2018). In particular, the selected variations were those exhibiting the strongest consensus among 20 contemporary façade designs about their potential to render a space the most calming ( Figure 1 selected as an example of a design that did not lead to a consensus amongst architects and had curvilinear openings, a feature that is crucial in visual perception (Levin et al., 2001) and has been linked to preference in both abstract patterns (Palumbo et al., 2020) and architectural interiors (Palumbo et al., 2020;Vartanian et al., 2013). ...
Recent studies have shown that the façade and light patterns in a space are an important factor in the occupants' experience, but little is known about the generalizability of these findings in different lighting conditions, uses of space, or latitudes. This study employed virtual reality to investigate the effects of façade geometry and daylight patterns on space impressions and physiological responses (skin conductance, heart rate, and heart rate variability), while simultaneously examining the effect of sky type, spatial context, and latitude on participant responses. In an experimental study conducted in Switzerland and Greece, 256 participants were exposed to immersive interior scenes with six façade geometry variations with the same perforation ratio, derived from contemporary architecture. Participants evaluated the scenes under different sky types (clear sky with high or low sun angle, or overcast sky) and spatial contexts (working or socializing). The façade geometry influenced both the appraisal (how pleasant, interesting, exciting, or calming the space was perceived) and the visual appearance of the space (how complex, bright, or spacious the space was perceived). Façade geometry also influenced the reported satisfaction with the amount of view, with a façade variation with small, irregularly distributed openings driving this effect. Neither the sky type nor the spatial context influenced space impressions. Results showed a significant effect of country and an interaction between country and façade geometry only for ratings of excitement, with participants in Greece rating specific façade variations as more exciting than participants in Switzerland. Skin conductance level (logΔSCL) decreased under exposure to a social context in clear sky with a low sun angle compared to a working context in overcast sky conditions. No significant effects were found for the other physiological measures. The results of the present study show that façade geometry was the main driver of the participants’ spatial experience, inducing perceptual effects that were robust to variations in sky type and space function and to regional differences (except for excitement). These findings have implications for the built environment, delineating the façade geometry as an important design tool with a high application potential across lighting conditions and space uses, and across latitudes between central and southern Europe.
... For constant opening ratio (that in the studies of Chamilothori et al. was equal to 25% in Refs. [57,58], or 40% in Ref. [64]), different façade patterns are tested by adjusting regularity (with the same number, size and shape of apertures but different distribution of the same). The number of façade patterns varies from 3 [57,58], where the configuration with blinds is compared with two other patterns with different apertures distribution, to 20 [64]. ...
... [57,58], or 40% in Ref. [64]), different façade patterns are tested by adjusting regularity (with the same number, size and shape of apertures but different distribution of the same). The number of façade patterns varies from 3 [57,58], where the configuration with blinds is compared with two other patterns with different apertures distribution, to 20 [64]. The 6 façade patterns judged to be the most exciting in one study [64] are tested by Sawyer and Chamilothori [65] and combined with color of furniture/materials and furniture configuration, with constant brightness level, considering a total of 30 different scenarios. ...
... The number of façade patterns varies from 3 [57,58], where the configuration with blinds is compared with two other patterns with different apertures distribution, to 20 [64]. The 6 façade patterns judged to be the most exciting in one study [64] are tested by Sawyer and Chamilothori [65] and combined with color of furniture/materials and furniture configuration, with constant brightness level, considering a total of 30 different scenarios. Rockcastle and Chamilothori [33] studied how view direction and sky type can influence visual interest within eight architectural spaces, with differing internal daylight composition, from direct sunlight penetration to diffuse and uniform daylight conditions, to cover a range of typical high and low contrast daylight conditions. ...
The achievement of a good visual environment is key to guaranteeing human satisfaction indoors. In this context, it is crucial to assess the visual environment through the measurement of human perception. However, the assessment of the visual environment through human perception is often complicated. Using real spaces or mock-ups is time consuming, costly, and does not allow the control of all possible variables (e.g., daylight). Photorealistic rendered images present several limitations, starting from the veracity of the visual stimulus presented to participants. Virtual Reality (VR) is emerging as a valid alternative for evaluating the perception of the indoor visual environment due to the ability to control selected variables, analyze cause-effect relationships, and save time and cost, especially for the evaluation of daylit spaces. The high level of immersion and the possibility of interaction provide an opportunity to study users' perceptions and behaviors. However, some aspects of light assessment in VR need further investigations, such as the comparability of the perception of light in real and virtual environments. This paper reviews the available literature on the topic, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages related to the use of VR for lighting research and design. Previous research is classified into 1) studies focused on the comparability between lighting conditions in VR and real environments; 2) studies about users’ perception and behavior with respect to lighting scenarios in VR; and 3) studies exploiting VR for lighting design. Hardware and software used in existing literature are further analyzed. This paper highlights that more studies are needed to define a common investigation protocol to make VR a valid investigation tool for lighting research studies aimed at evaluating visual quality and lighting perception.
... The scenes used as visual stimuli in this experimental study correspond to six variations of a typical office space with one large window facing south. In these variations, developed in previous work [26], a different shading system was applied to the façade of the space, shown in Figure 1. Each façade variation was based on designs from existing buildings, ranging from simple vertical or horizontal louvers to an asymmetrical complex pattern. ...
... Each façade variation was based on designs from existing buildings, ranging from simple vertical or horizontal louvers to an asymmetrical complex pattern. These variations of the scenes were used to impart different subjective impressions, following existing work which demonstrated the influence of shading system geometry on occupant perception [25], [26]. Although the shading systems varied in design, all were modified to have a 40% perforation in order to create scenes with the same amount of brightness and with distinct perceptual attributes. ...
This paper investigates the relationship between participants' satisfaction with brightness and other key perceptual attributes of the scene to gain insight in how user satisfaction with brightness is influenced by factors other than brightness levels. In this study, a total of 100 participants were immersed in an office space using virtual reality (VR). The brightness level in all immersive scenes were held constant while the office shading system's design pattern, rendering materials, and furniture were varied to examine how different factors influence the participants' satisfaction with brightness. Statistical analyses indicate that there is a strong association between participants' satisfaction with brightness and other perceptual attributes. Additionally, while the effect of furniture on brightness satisfaction was not statistically significant, the analyses revealed that colored materials had a significant effect on participants' evaluations of their satisfaction with brightness.
Millions of people migrate every year, aiming to settle either permanently or temporarily in new places. People from countries with different intensities of daylight might have various perceptions and expectations towards the climatic and indoor conditions. It might result from a previously accustomed lighting environment and other associated factors, namely individual cultural background. It is important because study outcomes may be utilised by architects and lighting professionals on how to design buildings and interior spaces depending on occupants’ perceptions and expectations to increase occupants’ satisfaction. This knowledge also can be used to save energy because the efficient use of daylight can reduce the energy consumption of both HVAC and illumination systems.
To date, few studies have explored the relationship between cultural background and daylight perception; however, they mostly focused on glare sensitivity rather than daylight intensity. Cross-cultural studies aiming to investigate lighting preferences in interior environments are also rare. What is not yet known is the importance of cultural background and its impact on daylight perception, expectation, and satisfaction. Therefore, the development of a methodology for assessing daylight perception and its application in the context of cultural background are the main objectives of this research project, in order to investigate the impact of cultural background on daylight perception.
In this thesis, three subjective evaluation methods were used to assess participants' daylight perceptions: subjective ratings, seat preference, and daylight boundary line drawings, and the perceived daylight availability obtained through these methods were compared to measured daylight availability. It was demonstrated that perceived daylight availability obtained through seat preference and subjective statement methods corresponds to some extent with actual daylight availability (p<0.01 and p =0.002, respectively). The findings obtained from both students’ seat selections and occupancy data from motion sensors in the library also highlighted the importance of daylight availability in the seat selection of students in the libraries. However, the lit area drawn by participants representing the perceived daylight conditions as part of the daylight boundary line method varied extensively from person to person regardless of actual daylight measurements. In other respects, a systematic review was conducted to create a conceptual framework of cultural background in the lit environment, and factors thought to be influencing daylight perception in the cultural context had been defined in four ways. These were ethnicity and/or physiological properties of individual eyes, the residential area, the previous luminance environment and sociocultural background.
Finally, the developed methodology based on the previous findings was applied to understand if individuals perceive daylight conditions differently due to their cultural backgrounds. Although some findings proved that culture might be an important factor in daylight perception, the study results did not provide strong evidence of a cultural background influence on daylight perception. However, the number of participants in this study (N=193) was limited, and this unique topic requires additional research with larger sample size.
While there is a growing use of complex façade designs in contemporary architecture worldwide and across Europe, little is known about the perceptual effects of these façades and the resulting daylight patterns on occupants, or about how such effects might differ between European latitudes. This study examines the perception of façade and daylight patterns across Europe by replicating a virtual reality (VR) experiment in Norway, Switzerland and Greece, using a mixed experimental design to jointly investigate the influence of different factors on the perception of a daylit interior space. These factors included: façade geometry (within-subject factor with four contemporary façade designs of equal aperture ratio), sky type (clear sky with high or low sun angle, or overcast sky), spatial context (socializing or working), and country (Norway, Switzerland, or Greece). Results showed that, among the manipulated factors, only the façade geometry affected the studied attributes (how pleasant, interesting, exciting, calming, complex, spacious, and bright the space was perceived, and the satisfaction with the amount of view in the space). Regional effects were observed only for reported brightness, with higher evaluations from participants in Greece than in Norway, but are difficult to generalize due to limitations stemming from the use of VR and the conduction of experiments in different seasons (summer and early fall) in the two countries. These findings show that façade design is a crucial feature in our spatial experience, inducing equivalent perceptual effects, such as changes in pleasantness or interest, across Europe, and motivate further research on the perception of brightness.
